2018-19 Gratitude Report

GRATITUDE REPORT

STANDING TALL

2018–2019

The 2018-19 school year was an exciting time at Denver Academy!

Because of your generosity we completed Phase I of our Building on Excellence Campaign which included construction of the James E. Loan Athletic Center and renovations of the Elementary/6th Grade Building. These projects enhance the DA experience and will benefit generations to come.

You truly make it possible for Denver Academy to stand tall.

Highlights of the past year are in the pages that follow. We hope you will be able to recognize the impact your gifts have made in the lives of our students.

Thank you for helping us create a place where all who attend can experience the Denver Academy difference.

Gratefully,

Mark T. Twarogowski Headmaster

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FINANCIALS & FUNDRAISING Thanks to YOU!

Denver Academy is fortunate to have amazing supporters like you throughout our community.

Parents, grandparents, faculty, staff, and even friends of DA make a daily difference in the lives of our students.

6% 6%

8%

The Fund for Denver Academy allows our school to stand tall. Your donations to this annual fund provide the best possible educational experience for our students and important resources for our faculty and staff. Gifts, big and small, make a difference. We are thankful to those who contribute to the success of our students.

EXPENSES

Legacy Society members are a group of individuals who have named Denver Academy in their will or estate and will allow Denver Academy to continue standing tall for years to come. There are currently 43 members. We are thankful

18%

REVENUE BY RESOURCE

4%

TUITION & FEES

CONTRIBUTIONS

OTHER

62%

CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE FUND FOR DENVER ACADEMY $239,198

UNRESTRICTED RESTRICTED TO OTHER PURPOSES

BUILDING ON EXCELLENCE

Denver Academy’s Annual Gala truly allows us to reach greater heights each year. The 2019 gala, “One in a Million,” was a wonderful evening with a performance of “A Million Dreams” from DA’s choir and stories from DA students about how our school has allowed them to soar. We are incredibly grateful to our guests, contributors, sponsors, and volunteers.

Thanks to the 2019 Gala, $378,088 in net income helped 108 DA students receive tuition assistance in 2019-20.

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM GENERAL & ADMINISTRATIVE FACILITIES & MAINTENANCE OTHER FUNDRAISING & MARKETING

The Campos EPC Foundation

RESTRICTED TO TUITION ASSISTANCE

to our planned-giving donors for their commitment to Denver Academy’s mission.

Grants are essential and assist Denver Academy in standing on a strong foundation.

Thank you to the following foundations for vital support in 2018-2019.

8%

88%

THE FUND FOR DENVER ACADEMY

$46,606 $28,171

GOAL:

$25MM

AS OF JULY 1, 2019:

$18,797,668

$142,645

Michael A. and Eleanor A. Pinkert $50,000 Foundation

Virginia W. Hill Foundation $25,000

The Campos EPC Smart Lab - Elementary Division BOE* Campaign - $25,000 each for new Athletic Facility and Performing Arts Center Tuition Assistance Program

WJD Foundation

$25,000

Scholarship Endowment - BOE* Campaign

Goldsmith Family Foundation

$10,000

The Fund for Denver Academy and BOE* Campaign

The Colorado Health Foundation

$7,000

Matching Grant - BOE* Campaign

Galena Foundation

$5,000

Professional Development - Wings of the Future Award

Gro-More Grassroots Grant/Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation

$500

Learning Landscape - School Garden *Building on Excellence

50th Anniversary Campaign

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building on excellence

ENDOWMENT

50th Anniversary Campaign We have watched your generous donations to the 50th Anniversary Building on Excellence Campaign transform our campus and students’ lives with the James E. Loan Athletic Center and renovations to the Elementary/6th Grade Building. With these two projects completed, we are proudly launching Phase II of the campaign which includes a Performing Arts Center.

to be a cafeteria. This new space will shine a light on our students’ talents and passions. It will also continue to create an environment that maximizes learning and allows faculty and students to work closely together while allowing us to expand the vocal and instrumental music program.

Construction of a new Performing Arts Center will replace an almost 50-year old building that was originally built

We asked members of the class of 2019 what standing tall meant to them; one senior responded, “Standing tall is rising above expectations.” This year, Denver Academy was able to rise above expectations both literally and metaphorically.

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• Denver Academy students participated in The Penny Project in an effort to raise funds for the 50th Anniversary Building on Excellence Campaign.

Over the course of nine months, students raised $3,933.30 in pennies.

• The Elementary/6th Grade Building renovations were completed. Our students and teachers are enjoying larger classrooms, flexible learning spaces and a new SMART Lab.

• Students, faculty and staff participated in a beam signing, now a part of the James E. Loan Athletic Center.

• The grand opening of the James E. Loan Athletic Center concluded Phase I of our Building on Excellence Campaign. The support of a generous community has created a facility that will provide DA students, staff and faculty a place to gather, compete and play.

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Denver Academy’s Endowment has been built by gifts from teachers and staff, parents, grandparents, students, friends, and foundations invested in perpetuity to secure our school’s future. We are deeply grateful to all who have supported DA’s endowment, and for the long-term vision of those who established named endowment funds. The following funds were created with an initial gift of $25,000 or more or have grown to exceed $25,000 in value.

FACULTY/STAFF COMPENSATION ENDOWMENT Anonymous Fund in honor of teachers Philippe Ernewein and Bobby Duhamel (2017) GENERAL ENDOWMENT Gates Family Foundation Fund (2004) J.K. Mullen Foundation Fund (2002)

Denver Academy gave

SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT Abel Martinez, Jr. Memorial Fund (1998) Anonymous Endowment Fund (2000) Bal F. and Hilda N. Swan Fund (2001) Baldwin Family Fund (2005) Carson Foundation Fund (2005) Casey Kahn Memorial Fund (2001) Deevy Family Fund (2004) Gary Family Fund (2006) Glendorn Foundation Fund (1999) Gwirtsman Family Fund (2007) J.K. Mullen Foundation Fund (1998) Jim Dierker Honorary Fund (2003) Justin Stecker Memorial Fund (1998) Kevin Gregier Memorial Fund (2008) Messinger Family Fund (2002) Richardson Family Fund (2007) Senior Class Fund (alumni brick program) (2007) Simmons Family Fund (2004) Taddonio Family Fund (2004)

me the confidence to believe I could go on to college and actually be successful. It provided an environment where I felt like I could succeed with what I wanted to do.

NEVIN ZAVELL ‘14 ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE IN UTAH

Endowment is vital to our school’s ability to sustain excellence. Increasing DA’s endowment is a key component of our strategic plan, “Vision 2022.”

$4,997,435

BALANCE AT 6/30/18 GIFTS / TRANSFERS INVESTMENT INCOME (DISBURSEMENTS)

$165,373 $304,770 $153,173

BALANCE AT 6/30/19

$5,314,405

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ACADEMICS

STEM

Thanks to your generosity, our students learned how to stand tall academically as they were supported by faculty and staff, and taught the way they learn best. In the following pages, we are thrilled to show you the difference you have made in our students’ lives.

Each year, Denver Academy hosts a STEM-week where students are engaged in various hands-on activities centered on science, technology, engineering and math. The week of activities concludes with the annual science fair.

To stand tall at Denver Academy could be described as withstanding the struggles that our differences cause us, and to remain standing once they have blown past. Standing tall is surviving the storm and being stronger for it.

YARED SANBET ‘19

• Juniors learned about debating and were challenged to research various topics and put together a sound argument in the annual debate.

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• Students in 10th grade learned about DaVinci and attended the exhibit at the Museum of Nature and Science.

• DA’s Knowledge Bowl team took 6th place in the State Tournament.

• Elementary students participated in a Cultural Connections class where they learned about different cultures and ethnicities all year.

• Sam Adams ‘20 received the Outstanding Colorado High School Student Award from the University of Colorado Boulder.

• All Elementary school classes participated in two field trips with South Platte River Environmental Education (SPREE).

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• Egg Drop Challenge: Students presented to create a contraption that will protect their egg when dropped from the roof of Richardson Hall.

• Science Fair: Students present their hypothesis and explanations for projects of their scientific choosing.

• Balsa Wood Glider Challenge: Students built glider planes out of balsa wood to see which will fly the farthest when launched.

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EXPERIENTIAL EDUCATION

READING & LITERACY

Experiential learning is one of the many things that sets DA apart from other schools and is a fundamental part of the DA curriculum year-round. Our Middle School and High School students take the week before Spring Break to experience something new both on and off campus.

At DA, we recognize that reading and writing skills don’t always come easily. With your support, we are able to take a specialized approach to reading and writing which allows our students to stand tall with confidence.

Denver Academy has helped me improve who I am and has allowed me to learn comfortably, at my own set pace….

Denver Academy has helped me stand tall, and I am grateful for that.

RITCHIE ISELY ‘19

• Elementary students participated in a lego challenge, reptile interactions, and art projects, to name a few.

• Off-campus travels included Denver, Chicago, Cayman Islands, San Francisco, Moab, Cleveland, as well as local experientials at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, Botanical Illustrations, a Denver Food experiential experience and much more.

• Sixth-graders went on a 3-day experiential trip to High Trails Outdoor Education Center where they participated in ropes courses, rock climbing walls and more.

• Elementary students were visited by Newberry award-winning author Avi, author of the Poppy and Ragweed series.

• Elementary and Middle School students participated in our Hooked on Books program and read over 350,000 minutes.

• “Novel Night”, which included a book fair and talent show at Barnes and Noble, was a hit! Students performed improv selections, original songs, theatre performances and the Headmaster reading his favorite book, “We Don’t Eat Our Classmates”.

• DA’s literacy specialists, specials teachers, and librarian all hosted literacy stations each semester for students to explore books, create crafts, play games, and learn.

• Between DA’s “Novel Night” and the Scholastic Book Fair, over $3,000 was raised for our library.

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SERVICE

ARTS & MEDIA

One of Denver Academy’s core values is Community & Nurturing Relationships. We believe that giving back to the community opens up our students to experiences, connections, and fulfillment unique to serving others. Thank you for not only making these opportunities possible, but for also being examples to these young minds.

At Denver Academy, we recognize that fine arts are an important part of a student’s development. Our facilities and classes are designed to engage and enrich the creative mind.

Standing tall gives us a chance to look out from the high areas and see the good things in our life….As a people, we need to stand tall,

Standing tall means not being

not only for others

afraid of who you are as a person.

but [for] ourselves.

Stand out, be yourself, and don’t care what other people think.

TAJ JONES ‘19

PARKER HARRIS ‘19

• Elementary and 6th-grade students helped spread the love on Valentine’s Day by making fleece blankets for the residents at Clermont Park Life Plan Community and the Dumb Friends League Animal Shelter.

• Students and faculty members donated blood during the Vitalant Blood Drive; which will save over 100 lives.

• High School students wrapped gifts and donations for DA’s annual participation in the Adopt-a-Family holiday program.

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• High School students participated in the theater production of Eurydice in the fall, and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. • The DA Drumline performed at the St. Patrick’s Day Parade for the third year in a row.

• High School drama students attended the Colorado Thespian Conference.

• Nine students were inducted into the International Thespian Honor Society after putting in 100 hours of hard work in the theater.

• Students in grades 7-12 participated in DA’s second annual Juried Art Show.

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ATHLETICS & PHYSICAL EDUCATION Because of your generous donations and support, we now have the James E. Loan Athletic Center. This new building allows students to explore and enjoy sports, physical education, and provides a gathering place for our DA Community.

This last year, we had a significant increase in participation and commitment in our athletic programs.

Standing tall is more than just postures, it is the ability to stand above challenges... it is your ability • Denver Academy began its Mountain Biking Team for students in grades 9-12.

thrive.

Parker Harris, track and field for Johnson & Wales University (Denver, CO)

• Our girls basketball team participated in spring and summer league basketball for the first time ever!

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continue to

Sam Steller, basketball for Lamar Community College (Lamar, CO)

• We had individual state qualifiers for golf, cross country, and mountain biking.

• Annual Elementary Field Day began with a one-mile “fun run” and was followed by activities such as face painting, soccer, obstacle courses and more.

to grow and

• Some of our seniors signed on to play sports at the collegiate level:

NEZUMI NYARKO ‘19

Crosby Harris, soccer for Hastings College (Hastings, NE) • Seniors Mike DuVernet and Crosby Harris received All-State Honorable Mentions from the Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA).

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CONGRATULATIONS TO THE CLASS OF 2019!

CLASS OF 2019 continued Denver Academy taught me that standing tall means loving yourself and treating others

The Class of 2019 applied to over 119 distinctive colleges, universities, and post-secondary programs, resulting in over 1 million dollars in merit-based scholarships. Our 2019 alumni are now participating in gap-year programs, entering the workforce, and attending 27 different colleges and universities throughout thirteen states.

with respect. It taught me to help others, stand up for my friends and be the best person I can be. I can look back on the values DA taught me and be able to use the power of standing tall.

SAVVY REEVE ‘19

Ella Pinkert VALEDICTORIAN

Katie Butler and Cassidy Wilson SALUTATORIAN

Alex White SENIOR OF THE YEAR

Nina Breen

PHIL JOHNSON/LOU RADERS COMMUNITY SERVICE SCHOLARSHIP AWARD

CLASS OF 2019 POST-SECONDARY SCHOOLS

Wallingford Adams Ashley Arnold Alexander Bentz Joseph Bishop Nina Breen Cali Brownstein Katherine Butler Alexi Cronon Michelle Dampier Toben Douglas-May

Michael DuVernet Adam El Gammal Logan Hahn Crosby Harris Parker Harris Josephine Hereford Samuel Hoadley Connor Hone Brian Hummer Ritchie Isely

Joseph Jaggers Taj Jones Eric Kahn Keith Koury Demetrius Latsis Benjamin Lurie John Malashock Joseph McSchooler Cole Nessinger Jacob Nicholas

Jada Nyarko Zachary Petrie Ella Pinkert Savannah Reeve Alison Salzman Yared Sanbet Dominic Santovena Charles Schuham Jena Skiba Ryan Speck

Samuel Steller Charles Straut Timothy Tyler Alia Waddles Alexandra White Ariana Wilde Jillian Wilkins Cassidy Wilson

Bel-Rea Institute of Animal Technology

Metropolitan State University of Denver

Colorado School of Mines*

Nuemann University

Community College of Denver*

North Idaho College

Cornell College

Otero Junior College

Cuesta College

Providence College

Drake University

Rocky Mountain College of Art & Design*

Emily Griffith Technical College

Savannah College of Art and Design

Ferris State University*

School to Work Alliance Program

Hastings College

T.A.C.T

High Point University

The University of Chicago

Johnson & Wales University (Denver)

University of Denver*

Lamar Community College

University of Northern Colorado*

Lincoln College of Technology

University of Redlands

Macalester College McPherson College 14

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* indicates more than one student attending

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FACULTY AND STAFF ACCOLADES Denver Academy takes pride in our incredible faculty and staff. They are passionate and dedicated to helping each student reach their potential. With extensive training on teaching diverse learners, they are the reason our students are taught the way they learn best, and their accomplishments are to be celebrated.

Wings of the Future Award

Teacher of the Year Award

Staff of the Year Award

MATT DASTIN Dean of Middle School

KAYLA WHEAT Arts & Media Teacher

MICAH CALLIS Facilities Team Member

• All teachers participated in at least 100 hours of professional development to reach a total of 225 or more.

• 48 conferences and workshops were attended

by Denver Academy Faculty and Staff.

• DR. MINDY ADAIR, director of mathematics & technology integration specialist, presented at the National Council for Teachers of Mathematics.

Session title: “Promoting Mathematical Literacy: What Our Students Need to Know, Why They Struggle, and How We Can Help!”

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• MATT DASTIN, dean of middle school east, presented at Middle School Math conference.

Session Title: “Making Connections Outside the Classroom.”

• KAYLA WHEAT, arts & media teacher, presented at the Colorado Art Education Association.

Session title, “Sewing for the Modern Student.”

• DA’s diversity chair and dean of arts & media, KATIE BRADFORD, received the 2019 Leadership in Diversity award from DiversityIs Magazine.

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• DA’s College and Transition COUNSELING TEAM presented at the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) National Conference on “The College Timeline for Students with Learning Differences”. In addition to presenting, DR. JILL CORBIN and MRS. CAREY ESKESEN also spearheaded the Learning Differences Special Interest Group for the NACAC.

• MR. CHARLES BECKWITH, DA middle school teacher, was nominated for the LifeChanger of the Year. The program recognizes K-12 educators who are making a significant difference in the lives of their students.

• MR. BOBBY DUHAMEL, a 10th-grade teacher and longtime faculty member, received the Outstanding Colorado High School Educator Award from the University of Colorado Boulder.

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THE DA COMMUNITY We are grateful to the Denver Academy Parent Association (DAPA) which gives its time and energy to creating and building a great community here at Denver Academy.

Our mission and vision is to strengthen the soul of the Denver Academy community

DENVER AC A DEM Y PA R EN T ASS OCI AT I ON

by opening vital opportunities for the students, families, and staff. We are dedicated to building connections and engaging the Denver Academy community to create a vibrant, rich experience.

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• DAPA sponsors the annual Back to School Picnic where all parents and students gather the Sunday before school starts to renew friendships and create new ones.

• Parent volunteers can often be found serving everything from root beer floats to cupcakes to the divisions during their respective lunch periods.

• Each month, DAPA holds “Its Just Coffee” where parents can stop by the DAPA house, enjoy a cup of coffee and light refreshments while socializing with other parents.

• DAPA takes special care to show appreciation to DA teachers during Teacher Appreciation Week and throughout the whole year by hosting various social events.

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• Parent volunteers also sponsor events for students such as After Prom and the annual Homecoming Tailgate.

• Parent Connection, a parent networking and educational group organized by DAPA, hosts several events throughout the year for our parent community.

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• The Booster Club, organized by DAPA, supports DA Athletics and extracurricular groups by running the concessions stand, selling flowers and congratulatory notes for theatre performances and much more.

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DENVER ACADEMY A home for diverse learners: past, present and future.

2022

Denver Academy’s 50th Anniversary Denver Academy celebrates 50 years of teaching students the way they learn best.

2018–19 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Dr. Edwin T. Callahan, Board Chair

Performing Arts Center Construction The building construction in 2021 is anticipated with the goal to inspire passion and appreciation of the performing arts.

Diana Anderson

2021

Jim Dierker

Kent Berke

Dr. Nancy Gary

Erica Bissette

2019

James E. Loan Athletic Center and the renovated Elementary/6th-Grade Education Building open their doors Both of these buildings provide flexible space for students to learn, gather and try new things.

Phil Johnson

Nikki Cady

Steve Mooney

John Farnam

Tim O’Connor

Lori Feehan Dylan Geller ‘92

EX-OFFICIO DIRECTORS

Barb Van Hare Richardson Hall Construction Completed Richardson Hall becomes the first building constructed on the DA campus.

2004

2001

Denver Academy moves into its current home at 4400 East Iliff Avenue To accommodate the growing student body, DA purchased a 22-acre campus with 15 buildings.

EMERITUS DIRECTORS

Kathryn Harris

Mark Twarogowski, Headmaster

Bryan Hassler

Tim Healy ’06, Alumni Association President

Mary Lester

Carey Eskesen, Faculty Representative

Rob Lewis

Amanda Plank, DAPA President

Steve Lockton Amy Messenger Karen McNeil-Miller Ryan McGowan

Denver Academy opens its doors DA begins teaching students the way they learn best.

Kristy Taddonio Mullins ‘94

1972

Kim Pankratz ‘90 Lisa Patterson, Vice Chair Steve Petrie Tom Stefaniak Burton “Barney” Wilson

SHERMAN ST. 1973-1978

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4400 E. ILIFF AVE. CONSTRUCTION

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TODAY

MISSION

Denver Academy inspires and empowers diverse learners through student-centered, differentiated, and transformative education.

Donate today at denveracademy.org/give.

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SPECIAL THANKS TO Povy Kendal Atchison, Photography | Christina Buonomo, Photography Marlo Butler, Our Family Clicks Photography LLC, Graduation

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